Leon Albertini - 1960s Rejectful Racing Career

[Pointrox]

Hello chaps
I've recently entered the F3RWRS with the young Monegasque, Jean-Vincent Albertini. In his biography you can read that both his father and grandfather had some racing experience.
That's how I came up with an idea of a family saga of the Albertinis, starting with the oldest one, Jean-Vincent's grandfather - Leon Albertini.
His elaborate biography can be read here, if you care: http://f1alternate.wikkii.com/wiki/Leon_Albertini
Leon's race reports and results will be put in here. Watch this space for some old-school reject racing

[AndreaModa]

I assume this will be on Grand Prix Legends? In which case, good luck!

[Londoner]

I suppose there's a contest between you and Jeroen to see who can have the most abandoned threads/careers in the PMMF!

This does look interesting, by the way. Hopefully, this one will last!

[Pointrox]

I will try to go at least through 3 seasons
Meanwhile...

First race
South African Grand Prix, 2nd January 1967, Kyalami

Practice
Leon's first appearance in his shiny red #4 Ferrari wasn't very fortunate - although he was about to go out first, it took him 10 minutes to leave the pits, stalling his engine numerous times. When he finally got to grips with 312, he couldn't get used to it's fragile V12 engine that would blow three times through the session. However, Enzo Ferrari had enough patience to let him try, time after time. Finally, after spinning millions of times, Leon did a few decent laps before pitting in. His fastest time of 1:27.63 put him in 13th place out of 20 drivers.

Race
In Ferrari hopes were high. Lorenzo Bandini and Chris Amon qualified on good positions and were ready to attack Brabhams and Coopers. Albertini also was about to get in front of Irwin's BRM. Little did he know, that his start would be one of the biggest crashes of the season.
Leon's start was a disaster - he lost control of his car and slammed into Rodriguez, who clipped Irwin's car and sent him into the bank, launching him in to the air. Irwin hit Surtees on his way down and rolled over. Surprisingly, Rodriguez and Albertini could continue, but not for long - Pedro's suspension collapsed when exiting Leeukop Bend, whilst Leon suffered a puncture in his left rear tyre and parked his car on the outside of Barbeque Bend. His debut not only wasn't impressive, but gave South African press a good reason to dish the dirt on him. Even the old Enzo had to take a few hard knocks, when enraged bosses of BRM, Cooper and Honda paid a visit to him after the race.
However, he not only defended his driver, but assured them of his performance in the next race, that would take place in Monaco.

Results
http://bit.ly/tn2Zlq

[Pointrox]

Home race
Monaco Grand Prix, 7th May 1967, Monaco

Practice
This time Ferrari was prepared for everything - a doubled supply of parts and a complete spare car was enough to fix Albertini's car after his antics. He also didn't disappoint - although he perfected the start procedure and hasn't blown his engine, his ballsy driving style (including going full-throttle through Nouvelle Chicane) resulted in numerous damage to his suspension. Noone complained though, and even applauded him as he was exiting the tunnel and with a little flick he entered the chicane at full speed. His times weren't impressive though - 1 minute 52 seconds was faster than his time from 7 years ago, but still wasn't quick enough to qualify. However, as he improved his car and drove more carefully in some parts he gained a few seconds, clocking 1 minute 46 seconds. When most of the drivers were pitting in for a rest, Leon was getting quicker, and on his final lap he went as fast as 1 minute 36 seconds and for some time he was 19th, ahead of Beltoise. Frenchman improved his time on the last stint of the session, and Albertini wanted to do the same, but Enzo Ferrari stopped him - as one of the mechanics confessed - to keep his car in one piece until Sunday race. He applauded his will of fight, though. It looked like Leon would have a hard race, to say the least...

[Pointrox]

Race
Leon started promisingly, overtaking Beltoise, Bandini and some other drivers and jumping into 13th. He kept it nicely thanks to the narrow nature of the track and good acceleration in the tunnel section followed by his spectacular and ballsy flat-out through the chicane. However, he went a bit too wide in Massenet corner and broke his right-hand suspension in both front and rear wheel. He kept going and held his high position nicely, but when he was out of the tunnel, he tried to go - as usual - through the chicane at full speed, failing miserably. He clipped the hay bales, lost control and hit the barriers, knocking off his right front wheel and ending his race.

Shortly after it became apparent, that it's not only the race over, but also his cooperation with Ferrari. But Leon didn't mind, since he could get back to business. He not only reinforced the company, but started working on expanding his operations on a worldwide scale, his first new business being a light composite materials research facility.

He couldn't resist for too long and shortly after he had another go at racing.